Chromatic harmonica



Nov. 30, 1943. K. SCHERER v 2,335,453

CHROMATIC HARMONICA Filed June 16, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l fwverzzan hE-MZ Jalerer Nov. 30, 1943.

K. SCHERER CHROMA'I I C HARMON I CA Filed June 16, 1941 2 SheerQs-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 30, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHROMATIC HARMONICA Application June 16, 1941, Serial No. 398,349 In Germany July 16, 1940 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a chromatic harmonica.

The harmonica according to the invention possesses a slide for alternately changing over to different successions of tones in the usual manner and differs from the known instruments of this class in that it can be more conveniently handled during playing both as to operating the slide and to general manipulation owing to its hand-fitting shape.

In the harmonica according to the invention the slide is controlled not by a button or knob as usual but with the aid of a cap movably disposed at one end of the instrument and serving as handle for operating the slide with the palm. For this purpose the rounded cap is adapted to the position of the palm occupied in playing. To the other end of the harmonica a stationary cap of similar type is attached. The use of such caps which softly hug the palm permits convenient operation of the slide and, in connection with other features, facilitates the general manipulation of the instrument. The invention thus affords the considerable advantage that the cap which has a relatively large surface compared with the small button disposed in the extension of the playing surface of the instrument and which occupies the entire front side thereof, can be reached much more quickly and securely for changing over, or held permanently in the palm, than is possible with a button.

The general manipulation of the harmonica is improved by a particularly advantageous construction of its outer shape. Projecting parts, edges, etc. found in the prior art types and frequently causing injuries to the mouth or hands of the player and damaging pockets, etc. are avoided, and the covers and the mouthpiece are formed so that the portion of the harmonica contacting with the mouth is adapted to the posi tion thereof occupied in playing.

The caps, particularly the movable cap, are, moreover, arranged so that metal contacts with metal, whereby mounting is facilitated, since every part positively and permanently fits the other, whilst mounting on wooden parts due to the shrinkage of the wood involves troubles including subsequent damages.

The space between the caps and the covers is protected against the entrance of dust, etc. by means of bands, and the band near the slide cap serves also as external guide for the cap. Furthermore, the bands, which may have any desired shape, form also a gradual transition from the covers to the rounded caps, and the harmonica according to the invention is therefore free from parts that can interfere with easy handling of the instrument.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the harmonica embodying the invention;

Fig. 2, a top View thereof;

Fig. 3, an enlarged top view thereof, partly in section, showing the use of a Wire spring for acting upon the slide;

Fig. 4, a cross section on the line AA, of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, a vertical section on the line BB, of Fig.

Fig. 6, a top view of the part of the harmonica shown in Fig. 5 with the covering band omitted;

Fig. 7, a partial top View of the harmonica, partly in section, showing the use of a leaf spring instead of a wire spring;

Figs. 8 and 9 are two cross sections on the lines BD and CC, respectively, of Fig. 7 and show the application of the leaf spring to the slide and the bearing thereof;

Fig. 10 is a cross section on an enlarged scale on the line 1J-D, of Fig. '7; and

Fig. 11, a perspective view of one of the closing bands.

The harmonica according to the invention is chromatic, i. e., it possesses two sets of reeds a tuned to the different successions of tones. Its holes 12 are alternately covered in known manner by a slide 0.

According to the invention, the operation of the slide 0 is made particularly convenient by the provision of a member comprising a cap (1 movably attached to that end of the harmonica at which the slide 0 emerges to the outside and coupled therewith. The cap d is rounded or curved and shaped so that its external form corresponds to the inner form of the hand, or the position of the fingers, during playing. On the other end of the harmonica a stationary cap is provided.

The cap d is rotatably disposed at the end averted from the end of the slide 0. To insure easy mounting the axis of rotation is formed by two pins g which rearwardly extend from the reed plates f at the outer end thereof, Fig. 6, and are produced by milling. The pins 9 loosely engage corresponding holes in the wall of the cap loosely disposed with its edge in gaps h of the reed plates Fig. 6. The cap d embraces with its side walls the reed plates 1 through which it is guided during its swinging motions.

The slide and the cap d are subject to the action of a common spring 2' which returns them into normal position. In the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 a U-shaped wire spring i having coils k is provided for this purpose and in the construction shown in Figs. 7 and 8 a U-shaped leaf spring which insures softer operation of the slide 0. The spring i lies in a bore I of the member m, Figs. 3 and 4, or in a continuous recess Z,-Figs. 3, land 5, which is open on the side and can be readily produced by milling. One end of the spring 2" projects to the outside and passes loosely through holes of the slide 0 and of the wall of-the cap d. a

The covers n of the harmonica are secured to the reed plates f by means of bent lateral ends 0 and are uniformly curved toward the mouthpiece p in such manner that the outer surfaces of the members n and p correspond to the form of the mouth during playing, This is indicated in Fig. IO-Which shows also that the mouthpiece pclose- 1y connects with the covers n and that the outer surfaces of both members pass into each other,

which is facilitated by the inward bend of the front edges q of the covers n.

The slide 0 and its two perforated guides r are disposed between the edges q of the covers n on the front side of the wooden member m which is correspondingly offset. This arrangement and guidingof the slide 0 afiords the advantage of being reliable and preventing bending.

In order to cover the space between the caps 01, e and the covers n, to prevent the entrance of dust, etc. and also accidental lifting of the cap d, bands s are placed about the ends of the instrument on both sides, which cover the space between the caps 01, e and the covers 11.. The bands s embrace the caps 11, 6, thereby guiding the cap d also externally, so that metal contacts with ening of the same and also of the cross pin it on which the wire spring 2" with its coils k is disposed.

The bands 8 are countersunk in front, and the reed plates 1 are reduced in front on both sides to such an extent that the bands s can be rounded off in front like the mouthpiece p and they are fiush with the latter. The wooden member m is recessed in the rear, and the bands- 3 are therefore flush also with the rear thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A chromatic harmonica having a body containing a plurality of sets of reeds, a pair of symmetrical ends for the harmonica, one thereof being mounted in fixed relationship therewith, the opposite end being shiftable as to the body, and mechanism in the body controlled by the shiftable end to render a selected set of the reeds operable.

2. A chromatic harmonica having a body conmetrical cap-shaped ends for the harmonica, one

thereof being mounted in fixed relationship therewith, the opposite end being pivotally mounted on the body to have a rocking movement as to the body, and mechanism in the body controlled by the rocking end to render a selected set of the reeds operable.

3. A chromatic harmonica having a body containing a plurality of sets of reeds, a pair of ymmetrical ends for the harmonica, one thereof being mounted in fixed relationship therewith, the opposite end being shiftable as to the body mechanism in the body controlled by the shiftable end to render a selected set of reeds operable, and spring means tending to shift the movable end toward harmonica over-all symmetrical appearance.

4. A chromatic harmonica comprising a housing providing a mouth piece, a reed plate therein mounting a plurality of sets of reeds, said reed plate having its ends extending outwardly from the body, a pairof caps for the plate ends, one fixedly mounted on one end, the other mounted to be shiftable as to its end, and mechanism controlled by the shiftable cap to render operable aselected set of reeds. I

KARL SCHERER. 

